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One “sloppy” dog in Breckenridge is getting used to a brand-new owner.

The Hungry Dog, a Chicago-style bar and grill in Breckenridge, is the latest addition to the downtown food scene, but one of the only fast-casual eateries, owner Brad Somers said. The Hungry Dog took over the Sloppy Dog space on the south end of Main Street.

Somers owns the Hungry Dog in Steamboat Springs, where he set up shop in a small kiosk and runs a stand at the ski resort as well.

“I was looking to expand my name,” he said. “I’d seen this place before and when someone said it was for sale, I thought it would be great.”

The Hungry Dog in Breckenridge features a sports bar vibe, with bright yellow and red Vienna Beef signs surrounding the multiple flatscreen TVs. The kitchen is open until 2 a.m. six nights a week, and the new menu, different from Steamboat, not only features hot dogs but gyros, salads, pitas and soup.

“The Sloppy Dog before had a hot dog motif to it,” Somers said. “We remodeled, and expanded our own menu to offer people more.”

Originally from Chicago, Somers moved to Colorado 11 years ago and worked as a ski guide in Steamboat before seeking out a niche market in the ski town.

He hired all new staff, and as the solo owner, frequently travels back and forth between Steamboat and Breckenridge. The two stores are a good two-hour commute one-way, which has kept Somers busy as he works to manage both.

“It’s a niche around town, there’s not much grab and go food,” he said. “You can call it in, it’s fast and definitely affordable. Breckenridge needed something like this.”

Somers said while some people still come in looking for the previous hot dog joint, the reaction from the community has been positive so far. The classic Chicago dog comes with yellow mustard, chopped onion, relish, two sport peppers, tomato wedges, a pickle spear and dash of celery salt.

“We want to be as authentic as possible,” he said. “We live in such a healthy environment, we didn’t want to just offer a hot dog. I wanted to do it right, to have something for everyone.”

There are also hamburgers, gyros, chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese. Somers said he wanted to offer more variety in Breckenridge, with a healthy flare. A number of salads and pitas, as well as soup and chili, offer variety for anyone, he said.

“I’m here for good,” he said. “It’s only going to get better. Hopefully we will continue to be this really recognizable brand.”

The remodel went smoothly, Somers said, after he bought the location at the start of November and opened at the end of December. In the future, Somers said, he hopes to expand to even more locations, but for now he has dedicated at least one year to focus on Breckenridge and connecting with the community.

Currently, the Hungry Dog has a happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. with a hot dog and beer for $5, as well as Thursday Bacon Night — a free slice of bacon with every purchase, to put on the meal or even in a beer, whatever people want, Somers said.

“Fast and affordable goes a long way in ski towns,” he said. “There’s really no fast food here, and we don’t want to be fast food, we have quality products, it’s just nice to be here.”

The Hungry Dog is located at 500 S. Main St. Unit 1L in Breckenridge and is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more infomration, call (970) 453-2434 or visit www.hungrydogofbreck.com